Take a holiday from your holiday!

The Mayfair Hideaway Spa & Resort is a dream of a resort and perfect for those who have  had enough of being surrounded by hoards of people, gangs of hawkers and of course simply by those so tired through 'roughing it' in a shack on the beach needing a comfortable bed!

The Mayfair  is a beautiful resort of International standard but retaining an Indian ambiance that is so badly lacking in many of the newer Hotels. Little touches that add a very personal feel to all of the reception rooms makes  the difference and  you are immediately comforatble with your surroundings. The design and layout of the Hotel exudes quality and style and actually the smallest hint of a sense of humour! You will just have to go to understand what I mean.

The pool area is chic with the pool overlooking the beautiful estuary of the River Sal, its not surprising that this Hotel is used as the backdrop in many film productions.

Rooms are large and  comfortable with all the usual amenities and my friends that stayed there last week where totally satisfied with everything.....and he's American!

The spa area is smaller than I had expected but I suppose there's only a limited number of massage beds you can use at one time, but the ambiance as with the rest of the Hotel is perfect.

Of course, there are a couple of things I would change, but heh, I'm a Brit, we always want to change something, but I'm only refering to the large flat screen TV in the bar area, which I would quickly remove and the big seahorse....less said the better.  I believe that TVs in bars are only needed by long term married couples and couples that have just argued, get the idea?

Service is as good as anywhere, ( I chose my words carefully) and although I have been to the Mayfair many times and a known face and known never to spend more than a few rupees on a coffee or lunch, the service is as if I were spending lakhs! Very impressive.....unless of course they just feel sorry for me......

I suppose we have to discuss rates, seriously dont worry about it, incredible value for money and well below the rack rates of the International Hotels across the River. Just tell the wife its twice the amount, she will believe you , she will be impressed and happy and so will your wallet!

So that's it, The Mayfair offers everything I would need or particularly what my wife needs for a wonderful vacation, the beach is only across the river for those that want sand between there toes, but knowing the Hotel as I do, I am sure the Bikash the GM ( a really nice chap) would be able to arrange something! 

Hip hip hoorah for The Mayfair!

Eat like a King, a Goan King!

Mickey's 

Location: Palolem / Agonda Road , 1km or less from the Agonda junction in Palolem

Tele: 08806467381

Child Friendly: yes

 

I have driven past Mickey's hundreds of times, just a local restaurant catering to the locals I beleived and not relly that special and then one sunny morning a good friend of mine brought Michael along to my house, it wasn't planned that we should discuss Goa Buddy or what Michael did but as things turned out , I found out that Michael was running a small restaurant on the outskirts of Palolem and specialising in local seafood and home cooked meals. Corea my 'oracle' for anything Goan confrimed that the food was as good as his wife's, so with that recommendation my mouth started to water.

 

But first of all, lets just give you abit of background about Michael, started in the F & B line with the Oberoi Group 25 years ago, 22 of which were in Saudi. Originally from Karnataka, he married a Goan girl and moved to Karnatka about 3 years ago, where he set up Mickey's. That does not mean he severed his contacts with Karnataka, in fact he goes to Karavar practically every day to buy the freshest fish he can get. 

 

The restaurant itself is just four tables and if you blink you might well drive straight past it, this is a local no frills establishment where the emphasis is on quality and providing that quality at a price everyone can afford. Did I say local? Actually many of Michaels diners travel from Panjim and thats confrimed one thing I have come to realise, Goans love good food and willing to travel to get it.

 

So you have probably gathered this is a 'Seafood Speciality' Restaurant, but dont come expecting to order what your taste buds were crying out for as you left home, Michael will only serve what he believes to be perfect, so dont expect a menu there simply isn't one! You just  turn up, take a table and Michael will tell you what he has to offer, its as  simple as that!

 

If you are veggie, dont worry, with the fish comes a minimum of two vegetable dishes, simply superb made with  locally grown vegetables the chefs on the beach in Palolem probably have never seen. I was given a white pumpkin bagee (probably spelt it wrong, but its like a casserole) and something similar to french  beans with shredded coconut. Delicious!

 

SoMickey's offers outstanding fish and outstanding delicious  vegetarian food all  at  an outstanding price. OK so the ambiance is not the Oberoi, but if all you want  is honest home cooked food prepared by people that love what they do, then give it a try.

 

Should you want more info check out  http://www.goabuddy.in/

Eat like a King!

Location: Columb

Tele: 9850925668 / 9822108578
Child Friendly: no problem

I thought I knew most places in the area and then someone mentioned Nazir's place to me, almost be accident! I followed it through and have come to the conclusion that those 'in the know' have decided that's the way it should be and have made a pact to tell no one!!!! Not surprising at these prices! Saying that when I visited the guests included people from Finland, Canada, Kenya and of course the UK, so the word is spreading....quietly!

I can honestly say this place is a gem of a find. Its not on the beach so it doesn't get the hustle and hassle . The whole place is fully fenced so its secure and so safe for kids. Lal is Nazir's right hand man and does a great job looking after everything from making sure the guests are happy to making sure the wifi's working.
The most fantastic feature of the previous restaurant  was the garden, I am pleased to say the guys are now my neighbours and have brought the garden with them, so in jnust a few months it will look as mature as it did in Patnem and full of colour, a lot of care goes into the planning and planting and it works well, the Patnem garden was probably one of the prettiest gardens I've been to in India , I know the new location is going to be even better!
The restaurant is  rather special and its great to see a smaller menu, this allows the chef to perfect his dishes rather than simply adding the veg or non veg to one of the preprepared sauces, which is a trick used by many other retaurant, The Kashmiri Banquet is an event in itself , ten courses can you believe, a little more expensive than some of the other restaurants around but well worth it and its still only just over twenty pounds sterling for four people. I ate at the previous restaurant at the end of last season, I was on a flying 'taster' with a travel writer friend, this was the fifth restaurant we visited that evening we had been eating since six, saying that the food was unbelievable and for me, the 'Garden' outshone everone else, it was simply the best !

There is a great attention to detail and its clear Nazir and Tracy understand that this counts. There is an intimacy and personal service about the place that makes it stand out. Many guests are repeat bookings and if you want to come here at peak season you really should book well in advance.

Suppose I should tell you where it is....well its in Columb and its called .....Vasta's Secret Garden.
Should you want more info and check out their rooms visit http://www.goabuddy.in/

Everyone deserves a little pampering.......

Location: Palolem/Agonda/Patnem area
Tele: 9822107194

Child Friendly: probably not

Cost: free consultation

 

Just a little consideration goes a long long way but honestly the more you do for some people and the less you complain the more you get put on!

I understand a vacation is really important, a time to relax, rest and rejuvenate but honestly a relationship is two way, what about those that support you the rest of the year? Don’t they deserve a little consideration? 'When was the last time SHE even considered that a little thought and pampering those closest to you might actually be good for her as well? SHE would not think twice about taking herself off to the hairdresser or get a check up with the doc at the slightest cough, well it’s time to take action, unless she pays me some attention I am going to cause her serious pain and she deserves it!

Don’t get yourself into that situation, book a session at Feet First, give your feet the check up they deserve and feel and see the results. It’s worth taking an hour off the beach and sort those little monsters out, before they turn round and bite you!

For more info check http://www.goabuddy.in/ Palolem Health & Beauty   

Kid's Safari

Location: Palolem/Agonda/Patnem area
Tele: 09742232007

Child Friendly: that's what its all about!

Cost: from 250rs pp

Most people and even kids will eventually tire of the beach, but other than the beach what are the options for the younger members of your family.  I’m not talking about the 11+ year olds; I will leave the entertainment for those guys entirely up to you! I have been through that phase with my own son and still suffering from post traumatic stress, 11+ to 18 is a very testing time!!!

No, I have cast my mind back to remember what exactly worked with my son and looking back on my experiences have put together options that should keep any monster (oops!) minor, happy for at least ten minutes!

The activities can be one-offs or part of a full day but there is only one condition….. someone is there to look after them! We don’t run a crèche or kindergarten or some new exercise in penal reform, it’s an alternative to being on the beach in the Palolem / Agonda areas where you can experience a different Goa that will give you lasting memories.  

Transport will be required , if you already have transport no issues but if not we can easily arrange scooters or even an open top jeep, which should be sufficient on its own to put a smile on the face of both kids and dads!  So what do we offer?
Rock pools with fish….heh it’s a big disappointment if you go fishing, kitted out with your net and all you can catch is a plastic bottle.  Where we go I have seen pools with everything from eels, to huge crabs to octopus….no kidding!
Crabbing….and for you cynics it’s not in the same place
Kite flying…….great fun for everyone
Stream paddling….a less dangerous form of canyoning, but I do know someone who can help you with this
Feeding fish in a natural Jacuzzi
Milking cows by hand
Petting puppies and perhaps walking your own pooch for an hour

Boat trips with a difference, Pirate Adventure or Robinson Crusoe. We do not offer 'Titanic' or the   ' Poseidon Adventure' for this age group.

Treasure Hunts, Nature Trails and even Kids Cinema

Ok, so that’s what we do. We are very flexible and can offer ½ day or full day packages and we won’t take enormous groups, our prices start at just 250pp and include refreshments, 

Full day packages cost a little more and if you need transport don’t worry, we have excellent contacts with scooter hire and a jeep is at hand if that sounds more fun.

Sounds ok then give us a call or if there's something else you would like just phone and we can see what we can do.

for more info check out http://www.goabuddy.in/ 

Pranic Healing.....What the hell is that?

Location: Kailas @ Bhakti Kutir
Tele: 09823595891
Child Friendly: n/a

Cost: take it as part of an ayurvedic package

Well I know what my dad's reaction would be and although he would not ridicule it, the raised eyebrows would say it all. The rest of my family are all 'tree huggers', 'crystal owners', and general 'paranormal aficionados', so they would really be up for it! I am somewhat of a skeptic, all depends on my mood, (which reminds me , our son asked me one day how I met his mom, through the Ouija board was my reply ), anyway, today I was in the mood, so carrying my flask of holy water and 1 kg of garlic cloves I met Vijay.

Vijay explained that Pranic Healing is the balancing of energies in the body; it involves lying down, fully clothed in a darkened room with relaxing music and leaving everything up to Vijay. You close your eyes and the ‘healing’ begins. There is no physical contact, you are told to simply relax and focus on a point on your forehead, (third eye, I suppose….see I do know something!)

Lying with your eyes closed in a dimly lit room with someone ‘doing something’ around you, does feel a bit odd, but then I began to get different sensation around my body. A tingling on the arm, I initially put down to mosquitoes, but there was no sting! I then felt my feet and legs getting warmer and what I felt most strange, I consciously began to feel a change , I began to feel more positive, which wasn’t that difficult, I’d had a sh…. morning! I thought I could sense where Vijay was ‘operating’ and apart from a couple of words to check if I was comfortable, there was no conversation.

I can’t tell you how long the healing lasted; it did not seem to matter. At the end Vijay told me how he had balanced the energies in the chakras and a prognosis about both my physical and mental state, which was surprisingly accurate, bearing in mind there, is no physical contact!

If you combined this with one of Vijay’s ayurvedic massages I am sure it would be awesome, Vijay by the way has probably the best Ayurvedic Centre in the area, if not Goa! He is extremely experienced, totally in tune with what he does and with his clients and one of the nicest people I have ever met.   

Anyway, back to ‘Pranic healing’ , I am not sure if what I experienced is the norm, I know someone who I recommended to Vijay to for Ayurveda and she was totally overwhelmed by the experience , I was not overwhelmed by it but definitely affected by it. My mood had changed; I was positive, enthusiastic and even hugged a tree on the way home!    

for more info check out http://www.goabuddy.in/ Kailas Palolem

The ‘Devica’… Experience 'On board’ Goan Hospitality

The Devica is a traditionally designed fishing boat that has been built purely to cater for people to experience Goa from a different perspective.

Devidas, the owner and Captain is the perfect host and will design your cruise to suit you. Want to party? Want to simply cruise and bird watch? Want to fish and cook the catch? Want to have a romantic dinner just for two?  Then ‘The Devica’ is moored and waiting just for you.

For the new season we are introducing the Cookery Class, this will be a totally new experience,  following a short trip to spot dolphins, the boat then returns to the calm waters of the River Sal, here the boat will moor and the classes will start. Prices will include lunch and complimentary wine /beer to complete the expereince.  

The packages can be made to suit and whether you want an hour dolphin spotting or full day cruise along the coast taking lunch on a deserted beach, it can be arranged.

Remenber 'The Devica'  is owner managed, so the prices excellent!

The boat is moored in Betul, but that's no problem, transport can be arranged and its possible to cruise down to Agonda, Palolem, Patnem and Rajbag , a magical coastline and experience! Stop off at Butterfly, if you are up for it!